Support Device Used During Exercise

ABSTRACT

A support device used during exercise that an individual places behind the neck during exercise, providing proper neck support and body alignment. The device provides support for the upper thoracic spine while performing abdominal exercise, and may be used to exercise the neck itself and provide a form of spinal traction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to exercise apparatus used to aid in performing primarily abdominal and neck exercises and, specifically, to a device used to properly support and align the neck and upper thoracic spine while performing such exercises.

2. Discussion

In order to strengthen and condition the abdominal muscles, a person commonly performs exercises such as sit-ups or crunches. The customary method of performing these abdominal exercises involve placing the hands behind head and pulling forward, thus bringing the head, neck and torso to a more inclined position. In order to achieve both the maximum effectiveness of these exercises and reduce the risk of injury, an individual performing sit-ups or crunches should keep his or her head, neck, and torso flatly aligned, or at a 180 degree angle during the entirety of the exercise. Most individuals perform more than one set of these exercises at a time, with multiple repetitions in each set. After a period of time, however, the individual likely will become fatigued, and the natural inclination is to pull the head and neck forward which could lead to injury and definitely reduces the effectiveness of the exercise.

There are many previous devices which aid an individual in performing abdominal exercises, and specifically aid in keeping the proper alignment of the head, neck, and torso. No device is known, however, which provides a simple and efficient means of providing support for the neck and upper thoracic spine while keeping the head, neck, and torso properly aligned. Additionally, no device known combines these features while also allowing for the exercise of the neck and cervical spine itself, as well as providing a form of spine traction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to provide a simple, lightweight, easily manufactured and relatively inexpensive device which will support the neck during abdominal and neck exercises, while keeping the body properly aligned. This invention provides a support member connected to dual hand grips at each end. In the preferred embodiment, the support member contains ridges that are applied to the back of the neck at the base of the head, with the upper portion of the supporting member being rectangular with rounded edges, while the lower portion of the support member is elongated, narrowing in width toward the end such that the lower portion is more narrow or shorter than the upper portion, and which provides support for the upper thoracic spine. The entire device is a single-piece configuration consisting of a molded, flexible material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings only depict the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting in scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the support device used during exercise in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an inverted perspective view showing the preferred width or thickness.

FIG. 3 is an inverted plan view which shows the preferred dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, as shown in the drawing, the upper portion of the support member 1 and lower neck portion of the support member 4 are attached to dual hand grips 2,3 on either side of the support member 1, 4. The attachment of the support member 1, 4 to the dual handgrips 2, 3 is by way of flexible connecting segments 5 which support the forward arch of the cervical spine. The surface of the support member 1, 4 contains ridges which are applied to the back of the user's neck during exercise. A perspective view of the ridges, together with their relative preferred width or thickness (0.442 inches) and radius (0.197 inches) is found on FIG. 2. FIG. 2 also shows the preferred width or thickness of the surface member 1, 4 (0.250 inches) and the preferred distance between the flexible connecting segments 5 to the edge of the dual hand grips 2, 3 (4.337 inches). FIG. 3. shows the preferred dimensions, with a length of 17.199 inches from either end of the dual hand grips 2, 3, and 8.962 inches from the upper to lower portion of the support member 1, 4, with the dual hand grips being 4.130 inches across. There are no or minimal gaps or spaces along the edge in the connection between the support member 1, 4 and dual hand grips 2, 3, or between the dual handles 2, 3 themselves. The upper portion 1 of the supporting member is preferably rectangular with rounded edges. The lower portion 4 of said support member is elongated, narrowing in width toward the end such that the lower portion 4 is more narrow or shorter than the upper portion 1.

All components are preferably molded into a single-piece configuration, and is composed of a soft but durable flexible material.

In utilizing this device for abdominal exercise, an individual grasps the dual hand grips 2, 3 with each hand, in whatever method is most comfortable. By grasping hand grip 2, this provides more resistance when performing abdominal exercises, while grasping hand grip 3 provides for less resistance when performing abdominal exercises. Stated differently, hand grip 2 may be more appropriate for advanced athletes, while hand grip 3 may be more appropriate for beginners. The ridged surface of the support member is placed behind the neck. The ridged surface helps to prevent the device from slipping, particularly when the user is perspiring. The upper portion 1 is placed under the base of the head, while the elongated, narrower lower neck portion 4 is pointed toward the lower back. When the individual user pulls on the dual handles 2, 3, such that the flexible material of the supporting member 1, 4 folds flush around the neck, the individual's head, neck, and upper back/torso are properly aligned and supported for performing abdominal exercises. Because the lower portion 4 extends down between the shoulder blades, the device also provides support for the upper thoracic spine, in addition to the neck.

Additionally, because the device is designed to be flexible, specifically the flexible connecting segments 5, it can be used to exercise the neck itself, not just the abdominal muscles. The user can exercise the neck by extending the neck and leaning back the head over the upper portion of the support member 1. The flexible material provides resistance beneficial for exercising the segmental joints of the cervical spine. Because the design has flexible connecting segments 5, it provides for leveraged motion between the segments of the cervical spine.

Further, the user may extend and lean the head over the upper portion of the support member 1, such that the head rolls over the upper portion of the support member 1. By doing this, the device provides for the elongation of the cervical spine and is a form of spine traction. Thus, the invention may be used as a therapeutic cervical spine traction device.

Although other devices assist the user in performing abdominal exercises, none are known that are as simple to make and easy to use, transport, and maintain as the subject invention. The ridged surface ensures the device stays in place as intended even when perspiring, and the support member provides proper neck support and body alignment during abdominal exercise. The elongated lower portion of the support member 4 further provides support for the upper thoracic spine. The dual hand grips allow for both beginners and advanced users by varying the resistance according to which hand grip is used. Further, the device may be used to exercise the neck itself as well as the joints of the cervical spine. Also, by leaning the head over the upper portion of the support member 1, the device provides a form of spinal traction. No device known combines all of these features.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred embodiment, it should become clear that modifications are possible within the ability of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A support device used during exercise comprising: a support member, the surface of which contains ridges that are applied to the back of the user's neck at the base of the head, with the upper portion of said supporting member being rectangular with rounded edges, while the lower portion of said support member being elongated, narrowing in width toward the end such that the lower portion is more narrow or shorter than the upper portion; and dual hand grips connected to either side, but not the top or bottom, of said support member, such that the entire device, including the support member and dual handles, is a single-piece configuration.
 2. A support device used during exercise as in claim 1, wherein the entire device is made of a soft but durable flexible material.
 3. A support device used during exercise as in claim 1, wherein there are no or minimal gaps or spaces along the edge in the connection between the support member and handles, or between the dual handles themselves. 